In Conversation with Terry Shepherd

Mike Papantonio - A Death in Arcadia

• Terry Shepherd

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0:00 | 25:12

Justice, Legacy, and "A Death in Arcadia" with Mike Papantonio

What happens when a legal case cracks open a wound a man has kept sealed his entire life? In this episode, award-winning broadcaster Terry Shepherd dives deep with legendary trial lawyer, radio host, and author Mike Papantonio to discuss his latest legal thriller, A Death in Arcadia.

From the brutal reality of Florida’s youth detention centers to the high-stakes world of corporate litigation, Papantonio shares the real-life inspirations behind his fiction. He reveals how a 100-year history of abuse at a North Florida facility and a candid conversation with Paris Hilton led him to write this powerful story.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

  • The Personal Connection: Why Papantonio chose his former "cow town" hometown of Arcadia, Florida, as the backdrop for this gripping narrative.
  • Art Imitating Life: The dynamic between the book's protagonist, Deak, and his daughter Kara—inspired by Papantonio's real-life daughter and law partner, Sarah.
  • The Fight Against Bullies: Why Papantonio has spent his career "kicking over rotted logs" to take on corporate psychopaths and pharmaceutical giants.
  • A Broadcasting Legacy: Reflections on the early days of the Air America Radio network alongside figures like Al Franken, Rachel Maddow, and Bobby Kennedy.
  • The Future of the Craft: Why Papantonio isn't worried about AI replacing creative writers and his advice for aspiring authors who have a story to tell.
"I just hate bullies, Terry. I can’t tolerate a bully... whether I got punched in the face or whatever, I was gonna take the last swing on behalf of that person." — Mike Papantonio


About Mike Papantonio

Mike Papantonio is a senior partner with one of the country’s most formidable law firms and a nationally syndicated radio host. A voice for victims of corporate negligence, he has spent his career at the intersection of law, power, and human consequence.

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